Deck the Fire Halls

Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

SOREN

Rob had to work the next three days, and with everything going on at work and with Chuck and Delaney, sleeping at Rob’s place was the only time I saw him.

My god, he was an angel.

He looked after me, cooked for me, offered me nothing but long hugs and soft kisses.

I loved him more each minute of every day.

I also loved sharing a bed with him every night. Getting to fall asleep with him in my arms, waking up much the same, was utter perfection. As the snow fell outside and Christmas crept ever closer, I wanted nothing more in life.

And I mean, sharing a bed had more perks than the best sleep I’d ever had, but getting to roll him over any time I wanted and sink my cock inside him was heaven on earth.

Christmas Eve meant the annual Hartbridge Christmas festival, and while Rob helped Hamish and Ren, and Gunter and Clay make preparations, it also meant we had to get the truck prepared too.

Taking the truck down to the park for the kids to see and play on was a highlight for me. These last few years, getting to see the whole town come out to celebrate their community was incredible.

How the community had turned up for Chuck and Delaney was incredible too. The last three days, people had dropped off food, gift cards to buy new clothing, brand-new kitchen utensils and containers, a new microwave, a coffee maker, gift cards, cash.

It was more than incredible.

Not that they had anywhere to move to, and they could use everything in my house as if it were their own. I was more than happy to stay with Rob.

More than happy.

Like I could get used to it permanently.

And if Chuck and Delaney needed to stay for a few weeks or months, then maybe we’d need to get them that new bed in my spare room, but until then...

Until Rob got sick of me, I was happy to keep staying over at his place. I already had my work gear in his wardrobe, some bathroom stuff in his cabinet, because it just made sense.

Made something in my belly warm too.

“Stop your mooning,” Doug snapped at me.

I startled, having spaced out for a minute. I was supposed to be polishing the truck. “What even is mooning?”

“Where you get a glazed-over, stupid look on your face.” Doug harrumphed. “Always thought you needed to meet someone, and now look where that got us. Mooning instead of polishing. I’m already one man down with Chucky off this week and you’re as useless as a bucket under a bull. What did that doctor do to you anyway?” Then he stopped and put his hand up. “Don’t answer that. Just get the damn thing polished.”

Raf laughed from inside the truck. “No, Captain, please tell him what your boyfriend does to you. I wanna see his face.”

Doug pointed at him. “You’ll see the toilets cleaning roster for a month if you don’t shut up.”

Doug stormed off to his office and me and Raf laughed and laughed.

He really did love us.

And by the time we were in our gear and driving down to the park by the huge Christmas tree, I was in the best mood ever.

The street was closed off, the food stalls were getting ready, and the kids’ Christmas Winterland train was already in full swing.

It was nothing short of magical.

Colson came by, dressed in his full uniform, huge grin on his face, and he held his hand out for me to shake. “Merry Christmas,” he said.

“Same to you.”

He nodded to where his boss was talking to mine. Police Chief Ronnie and Fire Captain Doug and the mayor having a good old chinwag. “Who do you think wins when they play poker?” Colson asked.

“Dunno. Who do you think wins the moustache contest? ”

Colson laughed. “So, Braithe tells me things with you and Rob have progressed.”

My face broke out in a grin. “Kinda crazy, huh.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you think there’s any truth in that Hartbridge Cupid bullshit?”

Then of course, Rob and Braithe walked down toward us, smiling right at us, and my heart felt too big for my chest. “I dunno,” I whispered. “But it’s definitely something magical.”

“Good evening,” Rob said, his eyes locking with mine. “Have you ever seen anything so fantastic?”

I couldn’t help myself. I pulled him into my side, my arm around his shoulder. I knew he was talking about the Christmas festival, the families, the snow, the way the sunset was painting everything in a soft pink. But he was the most fantastic thing here. “No, I have not.”

He gave me a shove and we had a quick conversation, mostly about how Cliff Henderson as Santa was the best part of the whole show. Then Ren, Hamish, Jayden, Cass, and their parents arrived, and I was quick to hoist Cass’s boy up onto the firetruck, and then there was a never-ending supply of excited kids.

And so the night went on.

I caught Rob talking with Chuck for a long while, but he spoke with everyone, and man... to see him smile.

In his coat and toque, a scarf, and his pink cheeks, the sound of his laughter. It took my breath away. And I even saw him almost slip a time or two, Gunter quick to steady him, or Ren.

That made me smile too.

Because he’d done more than find a community here. He’d gone and found himself a family. A group of friends so beautiful, so welcoming, they couldn’t be anything but family.

And I was included in that.

Sure, I’d been included before. Colson and Ren and Clay had always welcomed me, invited me to watch a game, and as a single guy, new to town, I’d always appreciated that. But it felt different now. The whole group just collected Rob and me into their clutch as if we’d always been there.

It was a great feeling.

“You wanna be careful,” Chuck said, giving me a nudge.

“Hey,” I said. “Didn’t see you come up. What might I wanna be careful about?”

“The way you’re looking at him,” he said quietly. “People might think you’re in love.”

I snorted. “Pretty sure that ship has sailed.”

“I’m damn sure it has.” He was smiling, until he looked around at the whole townsfolk and he shook his head. “I cannot believe the people here, ya know? Not just here tonight, but in this town. Everyone’s been so great, so kind and generous. Can’t believe how lucky we are.”

I clapped his shoulder. “You’ve worked hard for this community. You deserve it.”

He smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets. “You sure you’re okay staying over at Rob’s? You know that’s not what we expect?—”

“I know,” I said. “And believe me, I’m very okay with it. ”

“Rob invited us over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. To join you guys. Hope that’s okay?”

Damn, that made me so freaking happy that he would do that for them, that he would do that for me. “Of course!”

He was quiet a moment. “I’m really happy for you, man. He’s a good guy.” It was unlike Chuck to be serious, but given his last week, I’d seen this side of him more these last few days than in the entire last few years. “And you deserve someone who loves you as much as he does.”

Oh.

Damn.

“Thanks,” I said. “He’s kinda great.”

Then he rolled his eyes, the serious Chuck gone and the old Chuck back. “Jesus, that’s what he said and exactly how he said it.”

I nudged him with my elbow. “You back at work next week?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. I’ve missed all the stupid shit you say.”

He laughed until he sighed. “I better go find Delaney. She didn’t want to come tonight but I convinced her. All her friends swarmed her and headed for the churros. First time she’s smiled without crying in a week.”

“She’ll be okay,” I offered. “You both will.”

He gave me another clap on the shoulder. “Yeah. We will. Merry Christmas, Soren. See ya tomorrow.”

“Yes, you will.”

The night went on, thankfully without any kids or deputy’s going into the river, and before too long, the crowd dwindled and parents took their kid’s home with threats of needing to be in bed so Santa could visit.

I was taking the tinsel off the firetruck when a familiar voice came up behind me. “Excuse me, captain. I was hoping you could help me.”

I jumped down and laughed. “Of course, good doctor. What can I do for you?”

He drew his bottom lip between his teeth. “Could you take me home? When you’re done here with your very big truck.”

I laughed. “Oh, I think I can arrange that. Or,” I said, “I can give you a ride in the firetruck up to the fire hall, then I can walk you home.”

He grinned. “Serious?”

Hell yes, I was serious. “Climb in.”

Then, like he was an excited kid, he climbed up, smile wide. I got in behind the wheel and gave the horn a honk and set the lights to flash, no siren, to warn any stragglers to get out of the way.

It was a short, slow drive up the bank of the park and down Main Street, and when I pulled the truck into the fire hall, Rob was grinning, ear to ear.

I shut it all down and cut the engine. “Fun?”

“Yes.”

“Never did that as a kid?”

He shook his head. “Never.”

That might have explained the smile. “I need to get out of this uniform,” I said.

He sighed. “Shame.”

I snorted. “Doctor,” I pretended to admonish him. “If there weren’t strict rules about civilians being on the premises and security cameras everywhere, I’d totally do you here.”

“Oh,” he said, blushing. “I didn’t mean that...”

“I know you didn’t,” I said. “But I did. We really need to go home. And I could make a crass joke about needing us both to come before Santa does, but I’m a good boy.”

He laughed, his eyes dancing. “A good boy? You’re on his naughty list for sure.”

“I plan to be tonight,” I said. “We need to get home.”

He climbed down and waited by the truck for me to get out of my gear. He was smiling at the tinsel and baubles hung around the station. “Are you ready, doctor?” I asked.

He nodded quickly. “Very.”

He linked his arm through mine as we walked back to his place. The crowd was gone now, all the world quiet. Christmas lights twinkled inside houses, snow flurries skirted the air.

“Would you look at this place?” he said, marveling at the beauty of it.

“Did you have a good night?” I asked.

“I had a wonderful night.” Then he slid on the sidewalk and I laughed as I kept him upright.

“I should get you some snowshoes.”

He clung to me as we walked the rest of the way, and once we were inside with our boots off and our coats hanging on the rack, Rob took my hand. “Can I make you a hot cocoa or anything? Did you eat tonight?”

His thoughtfulness made me smile. “I’m fine.” I pulled him a little closer. “What I need is you.”

He hummed. “Just need?”

I pulled him closer, till our hips were flush, my arms around his lower back. “Need, want, love.”

He put his forehead to my chin and sighed. “Take me to bed, Soren.”

I lifted his face and kissed him. There was no scorching passion, no scramble to rid clothes, no urgency. Every time we’d fucked before, it had been on the more-urgent, rougher side. Where he’d been face down, begging for it, and that was clearly how he liked it. But I didn’t want that this time.

I wanted to treasure every inch of skin, caress every part of him, and show him how I felt. I’d told him several times that I loved him, but I wanted him to know it. I wanted him to feel it.

I led him to bed, taking my time to unbutton his shirt, his jeans, kissing the skin I revealed as I went. When we were both naked, he pulled back the covers and knelt on the edge of the mattress, running his hand over his ass cheek.

I stilled his hand and murmured to the back of his head. “Need you on your back tonight,” I said.

He did as I asked, lying back and gently stroking his own cock. God, he was so sexy.

My cock jerked, impossibly hard, which he noticed. “Like what you see?”

I shook my head. “Love it.”

I threw a condom down beside him and took the lube as I crawled between his legs. I spread his thighs wide and slicked his asshole with the lube, prepping him with my fingers while licking and sucking his cock. He was writhing, getting frustrated, desperate for more .

“Patience,” I said. “Believe me, you’ll get what you want.”

He growled in frustration. He raised his head and snapped. “Soren.”

Kneeling between his legs, I rolled on a condom and smeared more lube over us both. Then I pushed his legs up toward his chest and sank my cock inside him.

Torturously slow, his eyes went wide and his mouth fell open, so I leaned down, pushing in harder and covering his mouth with mine.

I delved my tongue in, tangling and teasing, then sucking on his tongue while I pushed my cock in to the hilt.

The sounds he made sent shivers through me. I had to hold back the urge to give it to him rough.

“Wanna take it slow,” I whispered. “Want you to feel everything, feel what I feel.”

He arched his back and let his legs slide down my sides, and he hooked his feet over my ass. I had to push up, drive my hips into his, impaling him deeper, and he cried out. I kept my hands on his head, cradling him, and began rocking back and forth.

I kissed his neck, his jaw, and eventually his mouth again, kissing as we found our rhythm. Slow and deep, I poured every emotion I had for him through my body to his. Every touch, every thrust, every kiss.

His fingers dug into my back and his groans got louder as we rocked and flowed with each other’s tide.

Then he hooked his arms around my neck and he locked his mouth with mine, head tilted, his tongue sliding with mine as he began to devour me with his mouth at the same time he took my cock into his body.

It was too much. Senses overload, emotions overload.

This was going to be over far too soon.

He was going to end me.

I pulled back and stilled our rhythm.

I waited for his eyes to meet mine, to focus. They were a flurry of need and arousal. “Please don’t stop,” he whispered.

“Rob.” I breathed his name. “I wanted to take it slow. Wanted to make love to you, but you feel too good.”

His tongue peeked out and he licked the corner of his mouth. “Soren,” he whispered, voice tight. He held my face in his hands and his body rolled with waves of pleasure. “I can’t take this. I need you to move. Make me yours. Please.”

Make me yours.

“You already belong to me,” I said, trying to move impossibly slow but the pleasure was so intense. “And I am yours,” I hissed. “Oh, Rob, your ass is too good. Too tight.”

He moaned and rocked us back and forth, and that set off a chain reaction. An explosion I couldn’t hold back anymore.

“I love you,” I said, my voice tight, my restraint all but gone.

He nodded. “I love you,” he hissed, shaking with frustration, with the need to move.

I rocked into him, again and again, driving in deeper with every pass. His eyes went wide again as I came, pulsing inside him and filling the condom.

I bucked into him, crying out with each shock of pleasure, and he held me as I succumbed to the power of my orgasm. Aftershocks, shudders, and spine-tingling pleasure. I collapsed on top of him, too boneless to care.

He rolled us onto our sides, my face resting on a pillow of his hairy chest, and I was out.

I woke up with Rob’s head on my chest. “Morning,” he said, his voice thick from sleep. “Merry Christmas.”

I breathed in deep and squeezed him. “Merry Christmas.”

“Do you want breakfast?” he asked. “Or just coffee?”

I tightened my arms around him. “But that involves getting out of bed and not staying like this all day.”

He chuckled. “I invited Chuck and Delaney over for lunch. I hope that’s okay.”

I kissed the top of his head. “I love that you did that.”

“It means I’ll need to get up and put the turkey in the oven.”

“Oh god, doesn’t it need forever to cook?”

“It’s just a boneless rolled roast from the supermarket. I’m not that good a cook to try a whole bird. But I want to do it slow.”

I hummed. “Hmm. Slow is good, like last night?”

He swatted my arm. “No. But also yes, that was amazing.”

I chuckled, content and comfortable, never wanting to move. “We can tell them it’s a dinner thing and not a lunch thing. We could just stay right here.”

He chuckled. “My bladder does not agree.” He unfolded himself from me and I whined when he got out of bed .

“So unfair.”

But I heard him pee and wash his hands, then a few seconds later I heard the fridge open, the coffee machine beep, and then he appeared in the door with his arms full of the gifts from under the tree.

He was also wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt. He jumped on the bed, making me laugh. “Gift opening time.” Then he handed one to me. “You go first.”

I sat up, resting against the headboard, the covers pulled up to hide the fact I was still very much naked underneath. His gifts were wrapped so neatly, I almost felt bad for opening them. The first one was a decent-sized box, and it had some weight to it, and I was curious as to what it could be.

Once I had the paper off, I pulled the lid back and grinned when I saw what it was. A fluffy robe, exactly like his. “Oh, I love it.”

“It’s not that exciting but you liked to wear mine,” Rob said. Then he gave me a smaller box. “But this one is the main one... oh, well, there’s another one still hanging on the tree but you’ll have to get that one yourself.”

“Hanging on the tree?”

He nodded but waved his hand at the second box I was now holding. “This one next. I want to see your face.”

Seeing how excited he was, I tore into the wrapping to reveal another box, which I was quickly learning made for expert wrapping. But then I opened the box and burst out laughing.

Flamingo pajamas .

“I thought you might like your own,” Rob said. “Given you stole mine and I never got them back.”

I laughed some more, then took one of my gifts from his pile. “Here. Open this.”

He looked at it.

“I wrap gifts pretty much the same way I fold a fitted sheet.”

He laughed and tore into it. He took one look at it. “You did not.”

“I did.”

He held up the pajama set. It was the same flamingo design, same brand, but these were mostly navy with the flamingos on the pockets and hems. He hugged them, laughing. “We’re going to match.”

We totally were.

And I fucking loved it.

The next one was much smaller and just as badly wrapped. “Okay, this one I might need to explain,” I said as he opened it.

He took out the gift card box and opened it. Of course he wasn’t familiar with the brand or the store. He looked at me. “Uh... that’s a lot of money.”

“It’s for a proper riding jacket,” I explained. “You need to choose one and make sure it fits properly, but if you want to ride on my bike with me, I thought it was a good idea to get you kitted out.”

He held it and nodded. “It’s perfect. And a lot more than I spent on you. Now I feel bad.”

I took his hand. “It’s not about the money. It’s about your safety.”

He nodded again. “Thank you. I love it. I love it all.” He leaned over and kissed me softly. “I can’t believe we bought each other the same pajamas. Well, the same but different.”

I scrambled out of bed and pulled on my new flamingo pajama bottoms. “Perfect fit.”

He was pouting. “I think I preferred the naked option.”

I slipped my arms through the robe and tied it off. “Perfect.”

He held his hand out to me. “You have one more.”

Oh, right. The one on the tree.

I took his hand and he led me to the tree. “Now, before you get this, you should know that I ordered it before the house fire, back when your visits were at irregular times. That being said, it probably makes more sense that you have it now. I just wanted you to know that I wanted you to have this before what happened.”

Okaaaay.

I looked at the Christmas tree, not sure what I was supposed to be looking for. An envelope? A small, gift-wrapped box?

And then I saw it.

It was a house key. A front door key. To his house.

It was also red with a green ribbon tied to it, and it hung like all the ornaments. I reached out slowly and gently took it off the tree. My blood pumping in my ears.

For all we’d done in bed, for all we’d declared to each other, this somehow felt bigger.

“You’re welcome here, at any time,” he murmured. “You don’t need to ask, you don’t need to knock. And now I don’t need to leave my door unlocked. ”

I clutched it in my hand, and kissed his lips, soft and sweet. “Thank you, Rob.”

“You’re so very welcome, Soren. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Robinson.”

He swatted me playfully for using his full name. “Let’s have some coffee. I need to get the turkey in the oven, then we can watch Christmas movies on the television and have breakfast, and maybe then some soapy hand jobs in the shower before we make a start on lunch.”

I laughed. “Merry Christmas to me.”

He shook his head. “No. Merry Christmas to us.”